Weather Policy                

Cancellation of practice is up to the coach.  If it is thundering or lightening practice should be canceled.  If it is raining or very wet outside it is the discretion of the coach.  Many coaches, especially of the older grades, practice in a light drizzle.  The smaller kids may not be so hardy.  I would not recommend practicing in a downpour though.  There is a chance that the city of East Lansing may close fields if there is standing water or they feel the fields are saturated enough to where they are going to get too torn up.  This is especially true at the Complex.  The rain hotline to determine if fields have been closed by the city is 333-2580; x49.

Games will not be canceled by the ELSC.  If there is threatening weather the head referee at the fields will call the game.   A game will be canceled under the following conditions:  danger to player such as lightning, hail, poor field/game conditions from excessive water on the field, strong wind, or darkness.   When thunder or lightning is present the game should be postponed for 30 minutes.  If the thunder or lightning persists for 30 minutes, the game is canceled and rescheduled if possible.  Remember that many of the referees are high school age.  If you are worried about severe weather, it is within your boundaries to confer with the other coach and give the referee your recommendations.

Weather can vary even just across town.  Do not assume because one city has canceled games that all are canceled.  If you have an away game you need to head out to that field.  If it is far away and you are trying to save everyone a wasted trip, check with the opposing team’s coach or their community leader.  If another community does cancel games, they generally will try to get a hold of our coaches and myself to give us the heads up.  In turn if we do cancel games, I will expect your help in contacting our opponents from the other communities.

Again, on rare occasions, fields may be closed by the city due to conditions, and you can determine that by calling the rain hotline. 

Hopefully we will have all sunny days.☼